One of the community leaders of the encampment called « Divino Pai Eterno », Félix Leite dos Santos, 50, was shot dead on July 18, 2014, in the Municipality of São Félix do Xingu, in Pará state. He was ambushed by gunmen on his way home, which was also inside the area.
According to sources, three people were accused of the killing: Antônio Dias Romano, 66; Sebastião Pereira da Silva, 74 and José Cândido da Silva, 46.
The « Comissão Pastoral da Terra » (CPT) said that the leader was married and had five children. Moreover, that he had been threatened before, which was the reason why Félix had alerted the Brazilian authorities.
There have been many recent land conflicts in this area. Two hundred families have been looking forward to being granted land by the government. This was being challenged by other farmers who were claiming ownership of the land.